The Zhou Army had enjoyed smooth sailing all the way, taking Sishui Pass and routing Lu Xiong, with extraordinary practitioners of the Immortal Path lending their aid. After this defeat, however, quite a few people shared Niu Jieshi's bewilderment.
Only now did they realize that there was no mandate of Heaven, no invincible army-only men falling one after another as two armies clashed, flesh and blood against flesh and blood.
Even Ji Fa was no exception.
The gloom of this defeat hung over everyone. Their once-unshakable resolve to act in Heaven's name and press fearlessly forward crumbled during the retreat, just like the shoes beneath their feet.
Niu Jieshi felt hungry, and a little cold.
He could clearly feel his life ebbing away, bit by bit. At this point, he was no longer quite so afraid.
He remembered the brothers who had fought desperately to storm the walls. He had seen brothers hold their ground without yielding, and brothers pierced through the heart by a thousand arrows, their bodies run through.
Now, more questions rose in his heart.
What were they fighting for?
They fought for the Son of Heaven of Zhou, and died for him too. But why had Ji Fa, who bore Heaven's mandate, the exalted Son of Heaven himself, suffered defeat?
It made no sense!
Ji Fa could not face the bewilderment in this lowly soldier's eyes, because he knew very well what he was fighting for.
He fought for the grand plan to overthrow Shang, to avenge Ji Li and fulfill Ji Chang's wishes. Beyond that, he wanted to expand his territory, bring down King Zhou, and vent the noble class's anger.
Ji Li was his grandfather, and Ji Chang his father. The more territory he held, the greater his power, and he himself was the